WagenerSC.com is pleased to announce that we can now carry LeMyra Young's monthly column now on our website. LeMyra writes a nostalgic column for each edition of the Wagener Monthly, a print newspaper publication of the Aiken Standard. LeMyra grew up in Wagener and has deep family roots here. We're happy to have her column now online, courtesy of the Wagener Monthly.
Memories are precious. Memories are something that cannot be taken away from you. Memories bring you great comfort and joy. Memories can sustain you through difficult times. Memories allow you to remember from where you came and look forward to where you are going. Memories are God’s gift from the past for the future.
Christmas Memories, By LeMyra Young. Courtesy, Wagener Monthly December '17 edition.
Christmas is only days away, and I am mentally making a list of what I need to accomplish before the big day arrives. My brother Charlie and his family will come to my home to spend Christmas day with my family, as they have been since 1980. That year, Grandmama Myra Tyler joined Granddaddy Charlie in heaven in late July. Prior to her death, we all gathered at their house on Christmas day. Daddy was the older of the two brothers, and I am the oldest of the six grandchildren which includes: Duke, my brother Charlie, Walter, Charlotte May, Tim, and me. At high noon, we all gathered around Grandmama’s table for Christmas dinner to devour the massive array of bowls and platters filled with Christmas goodness. For many years, Grandmama prepared all of the food herself; she did not want any help. However, I remember the Thanksgiving that Mama told Daddy that it was time for Aunt Charlotte and her to help Grandmama with preparing for Christmas dinner. Since the Thanksgiving meal was always at Mama and Daddy’s house, it was an opportune time to approach the subject. Grandmama protested a bit, but I think she was grateful for the help; the menu was planned and included Mama and Aunt Charlotte. After I married, I was also included in meal preparation.
After everyone had stuffed themselves with turkey, dressing, giblet gravy, dessert, and everything in between, the table was cleared, the dishes were washed, dried, and put away, and then we all gathered in the living room. Grandmama always decorated all of the public rooms in her big house for Christmas. There was everything from Jesus in his cradle surrounded by Mary and Joseph, the three wise men, and the shepherds to Santa in his sleigh pulled by his reindeer. When I was much younger a favorite decoration of mine was the bare plastic tree that stood about two feet high. Grandmama always placed it in the window of the butler’s pantry.* On the end of every bare limb, she placed a gum drop, and she would let me eat a few each day. When I went to Grandmama’s the next day, the little plastic tree had grown new gum drops to replace the ones I had eaten. Once we were all in the living room, one of us grandchildren got to pass out the presents; one only needed to be able to read to have this honor. As the presents were unwrapped Christmas paper and ribbons were scattered everywhere. I remember the Christmas when I was in the fourth grade. Grandmama and Granddaddy gave me a leather velvet lined musical jewelry box; when the lid of the box was opened, a ballerina twirled around as “Dance Ballerina Dance” played. I still have that jewelry box; at sometime, the ballerina fell from her stand. However, I still have her and still use the box, and every time I open the lid and “Dance Ballerina Dance” begins to play, I am reminded of my grandparents and Christmas at their home.
Charlie and his wife Ann have lived in Granddaddy and Grandmama’s house since shortly after their oldest son Chet was born, and their house was always decorated for Santa when Chet and his younger brother Todd were growing up. Several days ago I received a phone call from Charlie inviting Garry and me to come to their house to see the Christmas decorations. As Charlie and I were talking, he began to reminisce, telling me about spending the night with Granddaddy and Grandmama several weeks before Christmas and getting up the next morning to get all of the Christmas decorations down from upstairs. Once everything was laid out, Grandmama began to decide where each piece would go. Of course the big Christmas tree was in the living room; Charlie stood on the kitchen step stool, started at the top of tree, and hung each ornament as Grandmama handed it to him. She never threw away a single decoration…even if it needed to be. Grandmama would not stop the decorating until all the decorations were used. Charlie remembered the little cardboard crèche that had small figures of Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and the animals. He said that he, Duke, Walter, Charlotte May, and Tim played with the little figures when they were very young leaving many with scratches and broken limbs; yet, Grandmama would still put them on display with the crèche. Now all these many years later, Grandmama’s love for Christmas is still alive as Charlie and Ann allow the past to be a precious part of the present.
The wonders of childhood become memories in my heart.
*Granddaddy and Grandmama did not have a butler; the small room between the kitchen and the formal dinning room in big older homes was and still is in many cases referred to as the “butler’s pantry.’ Granddaddy and Grandmama called it the breakfast room; they ate most of their meals in that room.
A Special Message to All My Friends and Readers:
When I first began to write my memories column in 2001, I had no idea that I would still be sharing memories 180 columns later. However, it is the encouragement and praise from you the readers that have kept me writing, and I thank each of you for taking time to let me know that you enjoy my memories and that my memories bring to mind your own memories too.
I wish to each one of you a special holiday season and a new year full of good memories, and may God bless you one and all.
LeMyra Young